If you have yet to see the film “The Women,” run, don’t walk to your local theater or head to get the DVD. The movie released in Fall 2008 and to DVD December 2008 is a remake of the 1939 movie starring Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford as “the other woman.” This film has a host of stars including Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith and Bette Midler to name a few.
Like the 1939 version of the film, which was based on a play that was written by Clare Booth Luce, the film centers around one woman, Mary, and her catty friends who, upon discovering her husband is having an affair, are alternately delighted and sympathetic. In the original film, the women were all socialites who routinely met for lunch at Park Avenue restaurants and at the spa. In the 2008 version of “The Women,” directed by Diane English, the women are more modern and have careers in fashion – making the film one of the more fashion inspiring films of 2008.
Look for the clothes that are featured in this film to take off in real life. Whether it’s the preppy east coast look of Meg Ryan’s character, the eye-catching stye of Eva Mendes’ character, the edgy brash look of Jada Pinkett Smith’s character or the Bohemian style of Debra Messing’s character you are sure to find some fashion inspiration in the film The Women.
The costume designer for “The Women” in the 2008 version is John A. Dunn. He has worked on such films such as “I’m Not There,” “Fast Track,” and others. The premise of both films is pretty much the same and like the 1939 black and white version of “The Women” which had a color sequence featuring a fashion show, the 2008 version features a fashion show as well. Those who enjoyed the 1939 George Cukor film should enjoy the 2008 version as well.
